Novato brothers arrested in auto burglary case

Two brothers were arrested on suspicion of auto burglary after Novato police interrupted the alleged crimes.

The case began at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, when a patrol officer noticed a car with an open door on Second Street. As the officer approached, a man inside the car ran off, and suspected stolen property was found in the area, said Novato police Sgt. Nicholas Frey.

The officer then spotted another suspicious person in a different car on Second Street. Police contacted the man, identified him as Frisly Rivera-Ortega, and determined he was burglarizing the vehicle, Frey said.

About three hours later, police received a report of a suspicious person at the Safeway on Diablo Avenue. Police contacted Jose Rivera-Ortega nearby and identified him as the suspect who ran away earlier.

Jose, 20, and Frisly, who turns 21 on Tuesday, were booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of burglary. The younger brother was also booked on suspicion of resisting arrest.